Bioturbation is the mixing of (plant) residues into soils and sediments by biotic activity. Checkout the processes in soil with earthworms, potworms, collembola, mites and isopods over a 15 weeks period.

Dave Brandt (Carroll, Fairfield Co, Ohio), one of the early adopters of no-till and cover crops shows the LIFE in soil. Dave's cooperation with OSU researchers continues to provide a valuable site for studying the long term changes in soil health and ecosystem services. The Brandt farm showed that in addition to improved soil health, crop yields are increased under long-term no-till with cover crops mixes.

Ohio's Soil Health Champion Farmers!

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced six Ohio farmers as members of the Soil Health Champion Network.

Ohio State University Extension's new signature program is dedicated to creating a soil health education and outreach network. Building Ohio's soil health will create a vital, living ecosystem that sustains, plants, animals, and humans creating sustainable, environmental quality.

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Heavy farm machinery compacts the soil, both on tilled ground and no-tilled ground. Compaction induced by agricultural machinery often affects soil properties and crop production. Axle load is the first factor that has to be considered in soil compaction, according to Randall Reeder, Ohio State University Emeriti and Dr. Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State Soil Specialist. Axle load is the total load supported by one axle. READ MORE

An easy to use test can be done to predict potential soil crusting on farm fields. All you need is some chicken wire, water, a glass jar, and a dry clump of soil. When you immerse the clump of soil in the jar of water, the longer it holds together, the better the soil structure to resist crusting. read more

A suite of soil health measurements are becoming available which are not part of the traditional soil tests. Soil aggregate stability is an important physical indicator of soil health, which protects organic matter accumulation, improves soil porosity, drainage and water availability for plants, decreases soil compaction, supports biological activity, and nutrient cycling in the soil. READ MORE>>

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